Heat exchange device



May 12, 1931. A. BJMODINE 1,305,101

. H AT EXCHANGE DEvIcE Filed March 25, 1927 Patented May 12, 1931 UNITEDSTATES PATENT orrrcr:

ARTHUR B. MODINE, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MODINE MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF RACIN'E, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN HEAT EXCHANGEDEVICE Application filed March 25, 1927. Serial No. 178,490.

My invention relates to heat exchange. device and has among its otherobjects the production of apparatus of the kind described which isconvenient, compact, durable, efficient and satisfactory for usewherever found applicable.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved ,apparatusfor cooling compressed gases, or the equivalent.

In one embodiment of the invention animproved heat exchange device isinterposed between a plurality of compressors in such manner thatcompressed air is delivered to the heat exchange device from one of thecompressors and is then cooled therein before it is delivered to thesecond compressor which again compresses it. The improved cooling devicepreferably comprises a plurality of spaced tubes through which thecompressed air is passed so that there will be an efficient exchange ofheat between the compressed air and a column of air which is advancedaround the tubes by a fan, or the equivalent.

Another substantially the same apparatus as that described in connectionwith the first-men tioned form of the invention but in addition, alsocomprises means for cooling the coolingwater which is circulated t roughthe cylinder jackets of the compressors.

Many other objects and advanta es of the construction herein shown willbe obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts: i

Fig. 1 is an elevation of apparatus embodying one form of the invention;and

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The reference characters 52 and 53 desigj nate compressors which, inthis instance, are of the double acting type and are adapted to form ofthe invention comprises compressor cooperate to compress air atatmospheric pressure to a relatively high pressure, the air being passedthrough a radiator unit 54 formed of a heat exchange device 55 whichalso comprises a radiator unit 56. The radiator unit 54 comprises spacedtanks 57 and 58 which communicate with each other through a plurality oftubes 59 and the radiator unit 56 preferably comprises spaced tanks 60and 61 which communicate with each other through a plurality of spacedtubes 62. The spaced tubes 59 and 62 may be of any suitable constructionbut are preferably formed from relatively thin sheet metal and arepreferably provided with cooling fins or flanges 64 soldered in headerplates 66 which are formed with integral flanges 67 soldered in grooves68 formedin the tanks 57, 58,60 and 61. The tank 61 is preferablysecured by bolts 69, or the equivalent, to a frame member 70 and thetank 62 is referably secured by bolts 72, or the equiva ent, to a framemember 73, the tanks 58 and 60 being preferably secured by bolts 75, orthe equivalent, to a frame member 76 disposed intermediate theaforementioned frame members 70 and 73. The frame members 7 0, 73 and 76are preferably rigidly secured to each other by means comprising sideplates 77 which cooperate with the frame members to form a chamber 78 inwhich a fan 79 and an electrical motor 80 are positioned, the fan 79being secured to the shaft of the motor 80. Secured to the frame member73 is a bracket 81 which carries the motor 80.

The exhaust ports of the compressor 52 communicate with a pipe fitting83 which is connected by pipes 84 and 85 and an elbow fitting 86 to thetank 60 and the intake openings of the compressor 53 are connected tothe tank 61 by a pipe fitting 87, an elbow fitting 88 and a pipe 89,theexhaust ports of the 53'being adapted to discharge the air into apipe fitting 90 so that it may be delivered to any suitable apparatus.

The compressors 52 and 53 comprise water jackets 92 and 93,respectively. The water 'acket 92 is connected to the tank 57 by anelbow fitting 94 and pipes 95 and 96 and the water jacket 93 isconnected to the same tank compressed by a pipe 98, an elbow fitting 99and a pipe 100. The water jacket 92 is operatively connected to the tank58 by suitable elbow fittings and pi es which are identified generallyby the re erence character 105 and the water jacket 93 is connected tothe same tank by suitable elbow fittings and pipes which are identifiedgenerally by the reference character 104.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially as follows: Assumingthat the motor 80 has been operatively connected to a source ofelectrical energ it is obvious that the fan 79 will rotate an advance acolumn of air through the space between. the tubes 59 and 62. Now, ifthe compressors 52 and 53 are set in operation, the compressor 52 willtake in air at atmospheric pressure and after compressing it, dischargeit into the tank 60. This compressed air will then pass through thetubes 62 into the tank 61 and thence through the pipe 89, the elbowfitting 88 and the pipe 87 into the compressor 53 which'discharges it ata higher pressure into the pipe fitting 99 which is, of course,connected to any suitable apparatus. When the air is first compressed inthe compressor 52, its temperature rises and when it passes through thetubes 62 there will be an exchange of heat through the walls of thetubes so that the compressed air will be cooled. This cooled air is thendelivered to the compressor 53 which again compresses it and causes arise in its temperature. However, the compressed air discharged from thecompressor 53 will have a relatively low temperature.

Now, if it is assumed that the water jackets 92 and 93 and that theradiator unit together with the pipes which connect the radiator unitwith the water jackets are entirely filled with' water, it is readilyunder-.

stood that when'the compressors 52 and 53 are again in operation, athermo-syphonic action will be set up which will cause heated water fromthe water jackets 92 and 93 to flowupward in the tubes 95 and 98 to bedelivered into the tank 57. This water will descend through the tubes 59and be cooled by the column of air advanced by the fan 42. The cooledwater is returned to the water jackets by way of the pipe fittings 1 04and 105.

It will be noted that the heat exchange device 54 is substantiallyunitary in construction and that a single or common means is employed toadvance a column or air through the space between the tubes 59 and 62.

. Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and 55 described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A heat exchange device comprising a pair of spaced tanks, a set ofspaced tubes connecting said spaced tanks to each other, a second pairof spaced tanks disposed in substantially the same plane as thefirst-mentioned pair of spaced tanks, a second set of spaced tubesconnecting the second pair of s aced tanks to'each other, each pair oftanks eing formed with intake and discharge openings, and common meansfor advancing air, through the spaces between said first and second setsof tubes, said means being connected for support with said tanks andtubes.

2. A heat exchange device comprising a radiator unit, a second radiatorunit disposed in substantially the same plane as the firstmentionedradiator unit, said radiator units being provided with intake anddischarge openings whereby fluidsmay be circulated therethrough, andcommon means including rotatable means, the axis of rotation thereofbeing arranged in a plane transverse to the plane of said radiator unitfor subjecting said radiator units to a flow of air to effect anexchange of heat between said fluids and said air, said radiator unitsbeing mounted substantially as a single unit on one side of said lastnamed means.

3. A heat exchange device comprising a radiator unit, a second radiatorunit disposed in substantially the same plane as the firstmentionedradiator unit, said radiator units being provided with intake anddischarge openings whereby fluids may be circulated therethrough, and afan located in a plane which is substantially parallel with said lastmentioned plane for subjecting said radiator units to a flow of air toeffect an exchange of heat between said fluids and said air, saidradiator units being mounted substantially as a single unit on one sideof said fan.

4. In a device of the kind described, the

combination of a plurality of radiator units arranged in the same plane,one of said units providing an element of a liquid passage, and theother providing an element of a fluid passage, air advancing meansarranged at one side of said units in a plane substantially parallel tothe plane of said radiator units and providing means for advancing airthrough said radiatorunits, a housing, said radiator units beingextended across an opening in said housing, said housing having meanscommunicating with the atmosphere and said housing providing an elementof a support for sai air advancing means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ARTHUR B. MODINE.

